Band-securing device.



A. L. WARD.

BAND SECURING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29.1918.

Ptented Apr. 8,1919.

INVENTOR 3' mfkw ATTORNEY ALEXANDER L. WARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BAND-SECURING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Batent.

' Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

Application filed June 29, 1918. Serial no; 242,581.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER L. WARD, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Band-Securing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for securing or fastening together two strap ends, such as the opposite end portions of a fiat steel band strap, such straps being in common use for binding boxes, bales and other containers. Buckles or securing devices pre viously used in this connection have been found to break, when the bands have been tensioned, at a pressure considerably less than that at which the bands themselves would give way. My object is to provide securing devices of an improved character, which. may be cheaply manufactured and assembled, with a pair of alined strap or band ends secured thereto, and which shall be of a strength approximating that of the band itself, as I have determined by test. These improved results are attained by the provision of various cooperative details of construction as will more fully appear hereinafter. A buckle or frame member is provided, having a transverse opening therein through which the adjacent ends of a. flexible band are passed and bent back on them selves. The frame is provided with longitudinally extending projections from each of which a prong or prongs extend upwardly. The bent back ends of the band are provided with openings through which the prongs extend, the openings being previously formed, or, sometimes, formed by forcing the prongs themselves through the metal. Fastening means are also provided, comprising straps which are bent transversely around the longitudinal extensions of the frame member and the band and its turned-back ends, which lie, respectively, under and over these longitudinal extensions, these strap portions having openings through which the prongs extend. In my preferred construction, these transverse strap portions are integral with a piece which extends longitudinally under the frame or buckle, which insures the registration. of the openings through the strap portions with the prongs of the frame member. The provision of this longitudinal body with which the transverse straps are integral also insures the positioning, of the edges ofthe transverse straps against the exterior edge surfaces of the body portion of the buckle, these strap portions thus acting as abutments against which the outside edges of the buckle press when the band is put under tension, the resistance of the buckle to deformation beingthus considerably increased.

.In order that a clearer understanding of my invention may be-had, attention is hereby directed ,to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention. In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a top plan view of my device applied to a pair of alined band ends; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device in readiness to be secured to a pair of band ends; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a similar section taken on line of Fig. 1 ;]Fig. 5 is an end view of the device viewed on the line 55 of Fig. 2; and 6 is a transverse section through the device taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, the buckle'or frame member 1 is provided with a rectangular transverse opening 2 through which adjacent end portions 3, 3', of a flexible metal band are adapted to be inserted. The transverse edges of opening 2 are preferably slightly rounded, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The body 1 of the frame is provided with V there may be one or two or more for each extension. These prongs are preferably struck up from the metal of the extensions 4, 4' and maybe formed by punching the inetal at points back of the ends of the ex tensions, as is shown at 7 It will be noted that these prongs are positioned some distance back from the end edge 8 of each extension and' thatalso a substantial width of metal is left between the outside edge of -each prong and the outside edge of the extension, as is shown at 9, and between apair of prongs, when ,two prongs are used for each extensi n, as is shown at 10. p The prongs should beof sufiicient width to have considerable strength, and are preferably of a triangular shape, as is shown in Fig. The fastening member, in the preferred form of my device, comprises a body portion 11, adapted to extend longitudinally under the body 1 of the buckle and the extensions 4, at of the same, member 11 having substantially the same length as the buckle or frame member between the outside ends 8, 8 of the extensions 4:, at. The fastening member having the bodyportion 11 isformed from a blank having what. may be termed an H shape, the flanges of the H being then bent upto form the arms 12, 1 2.. The body portion 11 of this member being positioned heneath the buckle member, the arms 12- will extend upwardly at each side oftheextensions 4, 4, as shown in F igs. 2, 3. nd 5; These arms are provided with openings 13, adapted to ali nevwith the prongs 6 of: the extensions 4, 4. It will also be noted that the inner edges of the arms 12, 12, are posi tioned to bear-against the shoulders or outer transverse edges 5., 5 of the body. portion of the frame 1. To aid in threading the second one of the band ends 8, 3 through the opening 2 of the buckle, the body portion 11 of the fastening device is preferably provided with a struck-up tongue 14 which may be formed by slitting the metal and bending upwardly the tongue as shown, this providing an upwardly inclinedsurface over which the forward edge of the band end 3 may ride when-this band end is to be secured in the buckle. p

In operation, one of the band ends, such as 3, is slipped over one of'the ends of the' fa's tening member 1.1 and under the buckle 1, through the opening 2, and is then bent hack. The bent back end portion 15; of this band end is provided with an opening'or openings which aline with the prong or prongs 6 on the adjacent portion' i" of the buckle. The prongs are forced through these openings, the openings in the end portionslt of the band being preferably somewhat smaller than the base portions of the prongs, so that the prongs will be tightly wedged in. the same when the end portions 15 of the band are forced downwardly. The straps 12' are then forced downwardly over. the bent end 15' of the band, the prong or prongs 6' ex tending through the alined opening or" openings in the straps and being headed thereto; The arms 12 may overlap each other, as shown, or if a pair of prongs 6' are provided on each extension if or 4 the arms 12 may be shorter and may meet with a butt joint between the prongs, if desired.

The band end 3 being' positionedas stated, the bandend 3 is similarly secured in position, the tongue 14 throwing the end of the. band upwardly as it rid-es over the tongue, sothat it may readily be grasped and bent back into position; The adjacent arms or straps 12 are then pressed down into position, asint hevcase of the other band end. If desired, as stated, the connecting body omitted and some of the advantages of my invention secured. In this case, the arms 12 will extend all the way around the band and frame extension at each end, with the ends of the arms on either top or bottom, as will readily be understood, the arms 12 being also in this case alinedi against the edges 5 of the buckle; A greater strength is secured, however, and a more certain registration, by the use of the construction: illustrated. When a sufficient tension is applied to the band, .the pull on the transverse edges'of the opening 2 tends to deform the bu'ckle in a longitudinal direction, which tendency is'resi'sted by the arms'12, which engage against'th'e'edges or shoulders 5. The buckle i member and the fastening member are pressed out of sheetmetal andithe' thickness of the metal and the width of the portions of the buckle surroundingthe op'enin'g2' should be suflici'ent to give the required strength to the device. A

In case the band- 3', 3 is made from. quite thin metal the openings in the turned-back end portions need notbe previously'formed,

portion 1110f the fastening means may be but may be formed by the sharp po'inted prongs 6 themselves being forced through the metal when the band ends are secured in place. A further feature of' my device, whichniay he used with advantage in many instances, consists in providing an ear or extension 16 on the outer edge of the uppermost arm 12 at each end. These ears are bent downwardly, on a slant, into. contact with the upper surfaces of the-portions 3, 3' of the band. i The hand bein' fastened around a packing boX, for examp e, another box might he slid over the same so that its edge would strike against an outer edge of the arm 12' and bent back band portion 15.

lying under the same, with the result of possible damage thereto. The provision of the ears l6 insures the other boX,in such a case, riding up over the buckle without causing any injury.

It will be understood that my device may be used for securing'together adjacent ends of apair of al'ined bands, but that its more common use willbe for securing together the opposite ends of a single band or band strap suit of the pullof the hent back' band porxtions 15" against th p ng SO co t diis to cause adownward bending tendency in the portion 15 beyond the prongs. If the prongs were at the extreme end .8- of an extension 4 or 4', there'would be nothing to resist this tendency. For this reason I prefer to have the prongs positioned some distance back from the edges 8, so that the surface of extension & or 4 between the prongs and the edge 8 will prevent portion 15 bending downward, in which position it would more readily tear from the strain caused by the pull on the prongs. Also, a suflicient width of metal 9'should be left between the outside edge of a prong and the side edge of the extension, as otherwise there would be a tendency to start tearing of the band at this oint.

What I claim is 1. In a band securing device, the combi-. nation of a frame having a rectangular transverse body with a transverse central opening therethrough and longitudinal extensions in alinement with said opening, and upwardly directed prongs on said extensions, and a fastening member having a longitudinal body portion adapted to lie under said body and extensions, and transverse arms of flexible metal positioned to be bent upwardly at the sides of said extensions and thence downwardly over said extensions and over the turned-back ends of flexible band ends extended through said opening, said arms having openings therein adapted to register with said prongs.

2. In a band securin device, the combination of a frame having a body portion with a transverse opening therethrough and portions extending longitudinally in both directions from said body portion in alinement with said opening, and upwardly directed prongs on said longitudinal extensions, transversely extending shoulders be- .ing provided at the edges of said extensions, and a fastening member having a longitudinal body portion adapted to lie under said body portion and extensions, and transverse arms of flexible metal positioned to be bent upwardly at the sides of said extensions and thence downwardly over said extensions and over the turned-back ends of a flexible band extended through said opening, said arms being adapted to engage'said shoulders, and having openings therein adapted to register with said prongs.

3. In a band securing device, the combination of a frame having a body portion with a transverse opening therethrough and portions extending longitudinally in both directions from said body portion in alinement with said opening, and upwardly directed prongs on said longitudinal extensions, transversely extending shoulders being provided at the edges of said extensions, and fastening means for a pair of alined flexible band ends extended through portions of the band ends, comprising flex1- ble straps bent around said extensions and band ends and having openings through which said prongs are adapted to extend, saidstraps'being adaptedto press against said shoulders.

4. In a band securing device, the combination 'of a frame having a" transverse slot therethrough and upwardly extending prongs at each side of said slot, a pair of alined flexible metal band ends extended through said slot and bent back, the bent back portions having openings therein through which said prongs extend, and fastening means comprising flexible straps bent around portions of said frame and the overlapped portions of said band ends, said straps having openings therein into which said prongs extend.

5. In a band securing device, the combination of a frame comprising a rectangular body surrounding a transverse slot, with longitudinal extensions of less width than said body, said extensions having prongs extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of alined flexible band ends extended through said slot and bent back over said extensions, the bent back portions having openings through which said prongs extend, and fastening meanscomprisin flexible straps bent around said extensions and the overlapped portions of said band ends, the edges of said straps resting against exterior surfaces of said body, and said straps having openings into which said prongs extend.

6. In a band securing device, the combination of a frame comprising a rectangular body surrounding a transverse slot, with longitudinal extensions of less width than said body, said extensions having prongs stamped therefrom and extending upwardly at points intermediate the edges of the extensions, a pair of alined flexible band ends extended through said slot and bent back on said extensions, the bent back portions having openings through which said prongs extend, and flexible means secured around said extensions and the overlapped portions of said band ends.

7. In a band securing device, the combi' nation of a flat metal frame havin a transverse slot therein, a pair of aline flexible band ends extended through said slot and bent back, and fastening means comprising flexible straps bent transversely around pornation of a flat metal framehaving a transverse slot therein, and upwardly extending prongs: at each side ofsaid slot, thesaid frameextending for a substantial distance 5 longitudinal-1y beyond said prongs toits end edges, apair of alined flexible; band ends extended through saidslot from underneath and bent back above said" frame, and fastening means comprising flexible straps bent 1'0 transversely around portions of said frame and the overlapped portions of said band ends, said prongs extending through openings in the bentback portions of said band and. the overlying portions oi said straps.

This specification signed and witnessed- 15 this2- Lth day of June, 1918.

ALEXANDER L. .WARD. Witnesses:

DxER- SMITH, I. MCINTOSH.

Copies of. this patent-may be obtained tor five cents each; by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, no. 

